Personal profile
Biography
Dr Michelle Yap is currently Senior Lecturer and Program Director of Medical Bioscience at the School of Science, Monash University Malaysia. She is dedicated to toxin pharmacology and toxicology research. She has strong background in biomolecular modelling, proteomics, immunological and molecular pharmacology of bioactive toxins. She leads the Toxin Pharmacology Research Group. Her research group now focuses on molecular mechanisms of cytotoxin with the ultimate goal of developing next-generation biotherapeutics. Her research works have been featured in prominent media outlets, including the International Snakebite Awareness Day campaign. Besides active in research, she is also an education innovator who adopts various active learning strategies with technology. She teaches undergraduate units with an emphasis on student-cantered learning using the andragogy approach. Dr Michelle enjoys promoting STEM education to the public. She has organized and hosted several workshops and forums to advance the disciplines in medical sciences through research and education.
Research interests
- Pharmacology & toxinology
- Proteomics
- Molecular modeling & protein-protein interactions
- Immunoinformatics & immunopharmacology
- Protein boochemistry
Monash teaching commitment
- BTH2741 (Biochemistry)
- BTH2752 (Cellular Metabolism)
- PHA3801 (Principles of Pharmacology)
Education/Academic qualification
Molecular Medicine (Toxicology & Pharmacology), PhD, Toxinological, proteomics and pharmacokinetics characterization of Equatorial spitting cobra (Naja sumatrana) venom, Universiti Malaya (University of Malaya)
Biochemistry, Bachelor of Science (Hons), Universiti Malaya (University of Malaya)
Research area keywords
- Toxin Pharmacology
- Venom toxins
- Venomics and antivenomics
- Proteomics and protein technology
- Biomolecular modelling
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation -
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities -
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production -
SDG 13 Climate Action -
SDG 14 Life Below Water -
SDG 15 Life on Land -
SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Elucidating the mechanisms of dichamanetin's antibiofilm activity against biofilm wound infection using in vitro and 3D biofilm model
Azman, A. S. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Tan Ban Lee, J. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Yap, M. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Chee Wei, A. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Tan, G. Y. A. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Anak Mawang, C. I. (Chief Investigator (CI))
1/12/25 → 30/11/28
Project: Research
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Development of aptameric biosensor for sustainable surveillance of cyanotoxins in freshwater ecosystems
Yap, M. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI))
1/10/25 → 30/09/26
Project: Research
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An aptameric-based epitope-omics approach in landscaping the cytotoxins epitopes atlas
Yap, M. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI))
1/08/25 → 31/01/27
Project: Research
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Novel cross-reactive aptamers against cobra venom cytotoxin by integrative computational and experimental approaches.
Yap, M. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Hock Siew, T. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Lim, C. H. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Chow, S. C. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Mohamad , S. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Mustaffa, K. M. F. (Chief Investigator (CI))
1/10/23 → 31/12/26
Project: Research
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Development of an aptasensor for toxin’s epitope scaffolding to enhance diagnosis of dermonecrosis severity
Yap, M. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Hock Siew, T. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Siew Fang, W. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Mohamad , S. (Chief Investigator (CI))
Project: Research
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Targeting cobra venom cytotoxin: a linear 40-mer ssDNA aptamer-based antivenom confers neutralisation potentials against cobra venom-induced cytotoxicity
Hiu, J. J., Tan, H. S. & Yap, M. K. K., 2026, In: Archives of Toxicology. 100, 1, p. 389–403 15 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access1 Link opens in a new tab Citation (Scopus) -
Annexin A2 is a potential membrane protein target of cobra venom cytotoxin
Yong, Y. & Yap, M. K. K., Sept 2025, In: Toxicon. 264, 5 p., 108452.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access -
A spatiotemporal study of a recreational freshwater lake: Ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry profiling of cyanotoxins and the dermal toxicity assessment
Chan, V. J. W., Chang, L. W., Jang, F. H., Abdul Razak, M. S. & Yap, M. K. K., Dec 2025, In: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 44, 12, p. 3558-3572 15 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access -
Guarding our water together: the silent threats and sustainable solutions of cyanotoxins monitoring in freshwater
Chang, L. W. & Yap, M. K. K., 6 Mar 2025, In: The Biochemist. 47, 1, p. 17-20 4 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access -
High-throughput virtual screening, pharmacophore modelling and antagonist effects of small molecule inhibitors against cytotoxin-induced cytotoxicity
Lim, E. Q., Ahemad, N. & Yap, M. K. K., 2025, In: Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics. 43, 4, p. 2014-2028 15 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
2 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)
Prizes
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Bronze Award, Best Presentation Award in 2nd Research Officer National Symposium (ReONS) 2024
Md Kasim, A. (Recipient), Mohamad Norpi, N. (Recipient), Chang, L. W. (Recipient), Yap, M. (Recipient), Jang, F. (Recipient), Yeong, H. Y. (Recipient), Fakri, M. F. R. (Recipient), Nasaruddin, A. (Recipient), Idris, N. (Recipient), Mat Jalaluddin, N. S. (Recipient) & Abd Kadir, S. N. (Recipient), 2024
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Bronze Medal, International Research & Information Science Expo (iRISE) 2025
Yap, M. (Recipient), 2025
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Bronze Medal - Developing Scientific Literacy and Skills through Targeted Workshop: A Case Study in Science Education
Lai, H. T. (Recipient), Abu Bakar, J. (Recipient), Yap, M. (Recipient) & Teng, S. K. (Recipient), 2025
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
File -
CERIC European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC) Fast-Track Access
Yap, M. (Recipient), 2025
Prize: National/international honour
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Gold Medal at the 34th International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition Malaysia for the invention "PLANT B"
Lee Fong, S. (Recipient), Shi Ern, W. (Recipient), Illingworth, K. A. (Recipient), Yee Ying, L. (Recipient), Yin Yin, T. (Recipient) & Yap, M. (Recipient), 12 May 2023
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
File
Activities
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Member RSTMH
Yap, M. (Member)
2026 → …Activity: External Academic Engagement › Professional association or peak discipline body
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GIU Seminar 2025-1
Yap, M. (Invited speaker)
2025Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Contribution to conference
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Universiti Sains Malaysia (University of Science Malaysia)
Yap, M. (Visiting researcher)
2025 → …Activity: Visiting an external institution types › Visiting an external academic institution
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Frontiers in Pharmacology (Journal)
Yap, M. (Guest editor)
2025 → …Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Editorial responsibility
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Zero Waste Campaign / Kempen Sifar Sisa: Sampah Berkurang, Sungai Gemilang
Jang, F. (Contributor) & Yap, M. (Contributor)
23 Aug 2025Activity: Community Talks, Presentations, Exhibitions and Events › Public outreach
Press/Media
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Study shows high toxin levels at PJ’s Tasik Aman
23/08/24
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Profile/Interview
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Academics pool brainpower to combat algal invasion
24/05/18
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Profile/Interview